Dream embracing underdog role

Angel McCoughtry, celebrating with teammate Erika de Souza after winning the East, is making her third WNBA Finals appearance.

Every season we get overlooked. Every year we aren’t supposed to be here. To be honest, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Me and my teammates embrace the underdog role. We feed off nobody believing in us. We also like proving people wrong and hopefully this time we can come out on top against Minnesota.

I still have a bad taste in my mouth over our series with them in 2011. We had our chances and competed, but fell short. I’ve prayed for a second chance at redemption and now I get that opportunity.

At the same time though, I think it’s important to take a step back and appreciate the moment. We’re here to have fun and I think we play our best basketball when we’re loose and enjoying the game. I realize now just how fortunate I am to have a third chance at a championship. Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in winning the series that you forget to enjoy the journey that you’re on.

For us, I hope our journey ends with a title. It’s time to silence those doubters and prove them wrong. It’s time to show that the Atlanta Dream is the best team in the WNBA.